sometimes you just have to cross the bridge

Has it really been over a month since I visited OD? I am at a point in my life where I don’t even want to look at my computer much less spend time cruising around the internet. Still, I am loathe to give Merry up completely, so I decided to come in here and leave another place marker. I decided to do something different. When I was in college, I translated poetry from Polish into English in my spare time. I love poetry, but I especially love Polish poetry. My most beloved once bought me a book of Polish love peotry which I cherish. The Polish people are fun, joyous people, though they have suffered greatly over the years. They work out their anger, sorrow and frustration in their art – songs, paintings, films, literature. I think that they cleanse their spirits that way, which is why there are no happy endings.

This poem by Antoni Lange is titled “Wybudowalam Most” or “I built a bridge.” And, I translated it in 1991.

I built a bridge

and connected two banks of the river

So I could go straight

from this bank into tomorrow’s possibilities.

But, it became a dark scar before me

full of dreams and kisses

and disappointments.

Though I regret leaving

I must travel far from here

to lands I don’t understand.

I wanted to return

but a voice said, “Burn it!”

Oh, I wanted to return

to my youth in the golden sun.

But, the voice told me,

“Forget it and go far away.

Go straight to the other bank!”

I crossed to the other bank

and I burned the bridge.